Hope is Kindled
A podcast devoted to the way stories shape us, sharpen us, and sometimes… save us.
Hope is Kindled is a literary podcast that explores classic and powerful works of literature through the lens of self-discovery, moral reflection, and enduring hope. Each episode delves into a single book, essay, or story—examining its themes, characters, and psychological depth—and connects it to timeless questions about the human condition.
What makes the podcast unique is its blend of literary criticism and warmth. It uses biographical, psychological, and historical criticism, along with personal reflection and cultural commentary—including references to Doctor Who, The Muppets, and classic film.
Hope is Kindled
26. Catch-22
In this episode, we dive into Joseph Heller’s Catch-22—a novel that laughs in the face of logic and cries behind its grin. Set amid the absurdities of war, Heller’s masterpiece confronts the impossible paradoxes of bureaucracy, mortality, and survival. Through the eyes of Yossarian, we witness a world where insanity is rewarded and reason is punished. And yet… we find something remarkably human—something hopeful—buried in the madness.
With biting wit and dark brilliance, Heller crafts a world that feels eerily familiar, even today. In this episode, we examine the novel’s most powerful lines and what they reveal about conscience, consequence, and the courage to live authentically in a world that demands obedience.
We connect Catch-22 to the other works explored in Hope is Kindled—from 1984 to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—and explore how Heller’s brand of satire doesn’t extinguish hope, but forges it in irony. We also find parallels in the tragicomedy of characters like George Costanza and the exaggerated logic of The Simpsons, as reflections of a world where reason doesn’t always rule.
Enter the loop. Question the system. And remember: Sometimes surviving is the most radical act of all.
